Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls are a festive twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring a soft, fluffy dough filled with a colorful sprinkle blend that brings a fun and joyful look and taste. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, eggs, and almond extract, while the filling combines cinnamon, sugars, and sprinkles for a delightful surprise in every bite. Topped with a smooth cream cheese icing, these rolls are perfect for celebrations.

You’ll love this recipe because it combines the comforting aroma and taste of cinnamon rolls with the cheerful crunch and color of funfetti sprinkles. The dough is tender and elastic, and the frosting provides a creamy finish that enhances the sweetness.

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup warm whole milk (about 100°F / 38°C)
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (divided)
• 1 ½ tablespoons active dry or instant yeast (2 packets)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more if needed
• 2 teaspoons oil (for greasing bowl)

Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened, divided
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• 2 tablespoons powdered coffee creamer or nonfat dry milk (important for texture)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: extra sprinkles for topping

Instructions

1. Prepare dough: Whisk warm milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Let sit until foamy (~5 minutes).

2. Beat in remaining sugar and softened butter until slightly broken up, then add eggs, vanilla, and salt; mix well.

3. Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition until dough forms and pulls away from bowl sides (about 3 minutes). Dough will be soft.

4. Knead dough using mixer’s dough hook for 5 minutes or by hand on floured surface until dough is soft but elastic; use extra flour if sticky.

5. First rise: Grease bowl with oil, place dough inside, cover, and let rise 2 hours until doubled.

6. Roll out dough to 12×18-inch rectangle on floured surface. If resistant, rest for 10 minutes before continuing.

7. Make filling: Melt 2 tablespoons butter. Mix flour, sugars, coffee creamer, salt, vanilla until crumbly; stir in sprinkles.

8. Spread remaining butter (6 tablespoons) over rolled dough. Sprinkle cinnamon, then filling mixture evenly on top.

9. Roll dough tightly into an 18-inch log, cut into 12 equal pieces. Arrange in greased 9×13 pan.

10. Second rise: Cover and let dough rise about 1 hour until puffy.

11. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls 25-28 minutes until lightly golden. Tent with foil mid-bake to prevent over-browning.

12. Make icing: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla; beat until creamy.

13. Spread icing over warm rolls, garnish with sprinkles if desired, and serve.

Tips for Success

• Use warm milk to properly activate yeast.

• Kneading develops gluten for fluffy texture.

• Rest dough if it resists rolling out to relax gluten.

• Powdered coffee creamer in filling keeps it moist.

• Tent with foil during baking to avoid too brown tops.

Delicious Variations

• Swap sprinkles for chocolate chips or nuts in filling.

• Use flavored extracts like almond or lemon for different tastes.

• Frost with glaze instead of cream cheese frosting for variation.

• Add fruit preserves inside the rolls for fruity twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dough be made the night before?

Yes, refrigerate after first rise and bake next day after second rise.

How to keep rolls soft?

Cover rolls well after baking to retain moisture.

Can I freeze cinnamon rolls?

Freeze unbaked or fully baked rolls; thaw before use or serving.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

Use a blend designed for yeast baking with gluten substitutes.

How many rolls does this recipe make?

Approximately 12 rolls.

Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls

---

• Author: Emma Hart
• Total Time: 3 hours (includes rising)
• Yield: 12 rolls 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive twist on classic cinnamon rolls made with soft, fluffy dough mixed with colorful sprinkles. Enriched with milk, butter, eggs, almond extract, and topped with smooth cream cheese icing, perfect for celebrations.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough:
1 cup warm whole milk (100°F / 38°C)

2/3 cup granulated sugar (divided)

1 ½ tablespoons active dry or instant yeast (2 packets)

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs, room temperature

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

4 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus extra as needed

2 teaspoons oil (for greasing bowl)

Filling:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened, divided

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons powdered coffee creamer or nonfat dry milk

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup rainbow sprinkles

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing:
4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: extra sprinkles for topping

---

Instructions

Prepare dough: Whisk warm milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, and yeast; let sit 5 minutes to foam.
Mix remaining sugar and butter, add eggs, vanilla, and salt; combine. Add flour gradually, mix to soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes until elastic. Let rise in greased bowl 2 hours until doubled.
Roll dough into 12×18 inch rectangle.
Make filling: Combine 2 tbsp butter, flour, sugars, coffee creamer, salt, and vanilla. Spread remaining butter on dough, then cinnamon and filling evenly. Sprinkle sprinkles, then roll tightly into log. Cut into 12 pieces in greased pan.
Second rise: Cover and let rise 1 hour.
Bake at 350°F for 25-28 minutes until golden; tent with foil mid-bake if needed.
Make icing: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until creamy. Spread on warm rolls, garnish if desired.

See also  Mini macarons​

Notes

Use warm milk for yeast activation.

Knead dough for fluffiness.

Rest dough if resisting rolling.

Tent rolls with foil to avoid over-browning.

Powdered coffee creamer improves filling texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 28 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 roll
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 14
• Sodium: 220
• Fat: 13
• Saturated Fat: 7
• Carbohydrates: 38
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 5
• Cholesterol: 60

Keywords: funfetti cinnamon rolls, festive cinnamon rolls, sprinkle cinnamon rolls, cream cheese frosting rolls, birthday cinnamon rolls